"Why does everyone immediately assume the worst?"

Because when competent employees who've built good relationships with
the community suddenly have their jobs taken away en masse, it is not a positive thing. Not for those employees, and not for the community for whom they've done so much.

"What if the new community director is your favorite porn star who lights this place on fire with new and exciting things that none of us would have ever thought of?"

It wouldn't matter to me if the new community director was a porn star. And if it was someone who brought new and exciting things to the site, I would ask why that idea person couldn't have been brought in as a consultant to give the site admins some new, fresh suggestions (not that I see a need for them), rather than replacing the entire team.

"What if it just becomes so awesome that it's a party here 24/7?"

To me, it already is, and that's why I've put so much time and effort into becoming a part of this community.

"What if all of this paves the way for a brick and mortar store with a cafe to sit and chat with your girlfriends while admiring the latest toys? What if..."

I really don't see how firing the entire community admin team would be necessary in order for EF to build B&M stores, nor do I think most people want to chat over coffee, surrounded the general public, while looking at/talking about sex toys.

"Out of the ashes rises a phoenix, lest we forget that Fred is a literal genius and has so many things he wants to do here..."

Um. I, too, am a literal genius, and I'm willing to bet that a lot of the contributors here are, as well. Whether or not Fred is a genius has nothing to do with how this community feels about his apparently having fired the entire team with whom we've developed relationships. He could have done LOTS of things with this site without so harshly alienating a huge portion of his company's clientele. Even those of us who no longer need to spend money here in order to get products are still buying their goodies with hard work and contributions, which bring in more cash customers. less

THE message you are worried about.........
From:
Ansley (Stormy)
Context:
Interview
5/14/2013 3:42:10 PM

Hey!

This is a letter to a small number of the most valued contributors from Eden Community. We are asking for your support and continued participation during changes that are being made to the community and the company. We know change can be scary, but we’re here to help!

There are several major changes taking place. The team is one: we are changing the community management team - Gary, Carrie Ann, and Sammi – to bring more fun and quality time and events to Eden Community;

Second, we are working on a re-organization of the review program. The mobile shoppers are looking for a concise, quick opinion from experienced users such as you to help them make their choices about EF’s products. We are expecting 35% of the total traffic on site to be from mobile devices and you will start to see more unique review templates, allowing each user to give their particular brand of advice on an item.

Third, an official Eden Shopping Club is long overdue. We would like to keep our loyal customers and reward them appropriately while maintaining a competitive edge with Amazon. We kind of have it already: with all the buy-out assignments and points, it is almost a club, just disorganized. We will make it official, useful, and beneficial for you.

In the meantime, I have temporarily signed back on to help you transition into a new phase with EF. Assignments are being taken care of promptly and I will have a direct contact for you within the next week or two. All orders are being processed and there should be no delays there.

SexIs – Will continue as normal, I will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

Community Events – Weekly events such as the Rumble and COTM will continue, clubs and workshops are on hold until further notice.

Editing – Please send any questions to me. I will investigate any issues as needed.

It would be a huge help to the community if you would continue to participate and keep things lively and fun just as you always have. The transition should be fairly painless but there will be nuances about the community the new director will have to learn. With a little bit of patience and understanding we can keep Eden just as awesome as it always has been and continue to see it grow and blossom.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, I’m here to help and we’ll all benefit from a stronger, more unique Eden in the end. Thank you for everything you do! less

THE message you are worried about.........
From:
Ansley (Stormy)
Context:
Interview
5/14/2013 3:42:10 PM

Hey!

This is a letter to a small number of the most valued contributors from Eden Community. We are asking for your support and continued participation during changes that are being made to the community and the company. We know change can be scary, but we’re here to help!

There are several major changes taking place. The team is one: we are changing the community management team - Gary, Carrie Ann, and Sammi – to bring more fun and quality time and events to Eden Community;

Second, we are working on a re-organization of the review program. The mobile shoppers are looking for a concise, quick opinion from experienced users such as you to help them make their choices about EF’s products. We are expecting 35% of the total traffic on site to be from mobile devices and you will start to see more unique review templates, allowing each user to give their particular brand of advice on an item.

Third, an official Eden Shopping Club is long overdue. We would like to keep our loyal customers and reward them appropriately while maintaining a competitive edge with Amazon. We kind of have it already: with all the buy-out assignments and points, it is almost a club, just disorganized. We will make it official, useful, and beneficial for you.

In the meantime, I have temporarily signed back on to help you transition into a new phase with EF. Assignments are being taken care of promptly and I will have a direct contact for you within the next week or two. All orders are being processed and there should be no delays there.

SexIs – Will continue as normal, I will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

Community Events – Weekly events such as the Rumble and COTM will continue, clubs and workshops are on hold until further notice.

Editing – Please send any questions to me. I will investigate any issues as needed.

It would be a huge help to the community if you would continue to participate and keep things lively and fun just as you always have. The transition should be fairly painless but there will be nuances about the community the new director will have to learn. With a little bit of patience and understanding we can keep Eden just as awesome as it always has been and continue to see it grow and blossom.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, I’m here to help and we’ll all benefit from a stronger, more unique Eden in the end. Thank you for everything you do! less

So I decided I have time to be part of this site again and....I arrive in the middle of an upheaval. O well now that I'm here might as well keep poking thorough the rumble and rioting...I'm pretty sure there is still a sex toy or toy inside the rubble.

...and Farewell Gary, good luck to you. less

But Stormy sent out a mass PM, which I think counts as telling everyone. A lot of employers make it so that you can't even TALK about being fired, much less give public notice like JR did or even a vague post like this. I was just trying to say that, while it's a little murky, it's still more information than I've gotten from almost anywhere else when strange situations like this happen. less

THE message you are worried about.........
From:
Ansley (Stormy)
Context:
Interview
5/14/2013 3:42:10 PM

Hey!

This is a letter to a small number of the most valued contributors from Eden Community. We are asking for your support and continued participation during changes that are being made to the community and the company. We know change can be scary, but we’re here to help!

There are several major changes taking place. The team is one: we are changing the community management team - Gary, Carrie Ann, and Sammi – to bring more fun and quality time and events to Eden Community;

Second, we are working on a re-organization of the review program. The mobile shoppers are looking for a concise, quick opinion from experienced users such as you to help them make their choices about EF’s products. We are expecting 35% of the total traffic on site to be from mobile devices and you will start to see more unique review templates, allowing each user to give their particular brand of advice on an item.

Third, an official Eden Shopping Club is long overdue. We would like to keep our loyal customers and reward them appropriately while maintaining a competitive edge with Amazon. We kind of have it already: with all the buy-out assignments and points, it is almost a club, just disorganized. We will make it official, useful, and beneficial for you.

In the meantime, I have temporarily signed back on to help you transition into a new phase with EF. Assignments are being taken care of promptly and I will have a direct contact for you within the next week or two. All orders are being processed and there should be no delays there.

SexIs – Will continue as normal, I will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

Community Events – Weekly events such as the Rumble and COTM will continue, clubs and workshops are on hold until further notice.

Editing – Please send any questions to me. I will investigate any issues as needed.

It would be a huge help to the community if you would continue to participate and keep things lively and fun just as you always have. The transition should be fairly painless but there will be nuances about the community the new director will have to learn. With a little bit of patience and understanding we can keep Eden just as awesome as it always has been and continue to see it grow and blossom.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, I’m here to help and we’ll all benefit from a stronger, more unique Eden in the end. Thank you for everything you do! less

quote
"To clarify more the staff decision: I put certain goals for the team to achieve. EF has 2 very distinctive groups: customers and community. Unfortunately, the level of interactions between the two is minimal and the main goal for the team in the last 2 years or so was to bridge the two, create symbiotic relationships where community promotes EF, helps its customers with the purchase, and customers support community financially. The goal has not been reached and the team is being replaced. I still believe this can be done. We will try to make it happen."

I have been staying out of the drama for the most part, trying to remain professional, but I have to refute this.

This is not the reason you gave for letting us go nor did most of the staff you let go have anything to do with these goals. The staff you let go made constant proposals and action plans only to have them ignored and not implemented by those with the power to do so -- namely you and the developers. I'm quite sure 50 or more missed meetings in the past two years had more to do with goals not being met than any failure on the part of your employees. You cannot ignore those who work for you, who work hard to build your company and community, and expect ever changing goals to be met.

It bothers me a great deal that all this dirty laundry is being aired in public -- but I will not be lied about or threatened. I will not be accused of doing things I did not do. I do not appreciate being called on a weekend by someone I no longer work for and told that there is no choice but to come after me if I did something I wasn't even aware had been done.

I was not fired for these reasons mentioned above and I did not post that video on youtube. I have not discussed the reasons you gave for firing us -- other than to say that it was financial and not performance related -- but I cannot continue to be evasive and protect you and this company when you are BLATANTLY lying. I find it appalling that you would, at this point, expect any loyalty at all. less

quote
"To clarify more the staff decision: I put certain goals for the team to achieve. EF has 2 very distinctive groups: customers and community. Unfortunately, the level of interactions between the two is minimal and the main goal for the team in the last 2 years or so was to bridge the two, create symbiotic relationships where community promotes EF, helps its customers with the purchase, and customers support community financially. The goal has not been reached and the team is being replaced. I still believe this can be done. We will try to make it happen."

I have been staying out of the drama for the most part, trying to remain professional, but I have to refute this.

This is not the reason you gave for letting us go nor did most of the staff you let go have anything to do with these goals. The staff you let go made constant proposals and action plans only to have them ignored and not implemented by those with the power to do so -- namely you and the developers. I'm quite sure 50 or more missed meetings in the past two years had more to do with goals not being met than any failure on the part of your employees. You cannot ignore those who work for you, who work hard to build your company and community, and expect ever changing goals to be met.

It bothers me a great deal that all this dirty laundry is being aired in public -- but I will not be lied about or threatened. I will not be accused of doing things I did not do. I do not appreciate being called on a weekend by someone I no longer work for and told that there is no choice but to come after me if I did something I wasn't even aware had been done.

I was not fired for these reasons mentioned above and I did not post that video on youtube. I have not discussed the reasons you gave for firing us -- other than to say that it was financial and not performance related -- but I cannot continue to be evasive and protect you and this company when you are BLATANTLY lying. I find it appalling that you would, at this point, expect any loyalty at all. less

You were always incredibly amazing and I know that there are SO MANY of us who have appreciated everything you'd done for the community and for the site. I have no doubt in my mind (same with many others as well) that you weren't fired for the reasons stated above. You were amazing and I'm glad you took a moment to stand up for yourself! less

+1 on this. I had very few dealings with you, Carrie Ann but you and the rest of the gang have always been a credit to your positions and were a big reason for the many recommendations I used to make to others about EF.

Kudos for standing up for yourself. less

Wow....just......wow. I believe it. That was clearly Carrie Ann's voice. I don't care who posted the video, but she shouldn't be getting threatened like that....that is just....wow....I'm speechless.

This is crazy

Now what? Where do we go? Where can we go? I don't know of any place that is like this one was.....I'm sad.....

And deleting comments and/or threads or disabling the ability to comment on them isn't going to help the situation. Just sayin. less